Barnaby Joyce defended One Nation MP David Farley on Monday, stating that Farley had misspoke regarding the party's key promise to slash migration numbers.
Farley had suggested on Sunday that One Nation's migration policy would allow for an additional 100,000 people annually on top of a previously stated 130,000, which would result in a total figure slightly higher than Labor's projected 225,000.
Party leader Pauline Hanson quickly corrected Farley on social media, reaffirming that the policy remained to reduce net overseas migration to 130,000 people per year.
"Show me a political career where people haven't made a mistake, and I'll show you a person who's not told the truth," Joyce told Seven's Sunrise program. "When people are new in parliament, they can sometimes get things incorrect, and that's what happens. God knows, I've done it enough."
Joyce reiterated that One Nation's policy objective is an annual net overseas migration of 130,000 people.
Federal minister Pat Conroy criticized the differing statements from One Nation, calling the party incoherent on the issue. "What we saw in the last 24 hours demonstrated why they're not fit to govern," Conroy told ABC Radio. He added that the government is focused on an appropriate migration mix to support the Australian economy and foreign policy objectives.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke had been scheduled to deliver a speech on migration numbers earlier in August, but it was canceled at the last minute due to internal cabinet disagreements over the policy. Conroy declined to comment on whether Labor's revised policy would align with One Nation's 130,000 target, stating that it is a complex issue requiring careful consideration.
Current migration numbers stand at approximately 301,000. The coalition has indicated its migration policy will be linked to the number of new houses completed, with Opposition frontbencher Andrew Bragg facing rebukes from party leadership for suggesting a cap of 180,000. Coalition home affairs spokesman Jonathon Duniam stated that their migration numbers would be revealed closer to the next federal election, due by May 2028.